The 8 Best Sheet Masks to Hydrate Dull, Dry Skin

One of best ways to step up your self-care regimen? Apply a sheet mask, grab a cup of tea, and unwind with your favorite movie. Sheet masks certainly look and feel different than your traditional face masks in a tub or tube. While they can be a bit goofy looking (some would say downright frightening), they’re easy to use and can be a fun way to indulge yourself.

Instead of slathering on a cream that dries on the skin, you simply unfold the mask (which may be made from fibers, feel paper-y, or have a gel consistency) from the package, place over the contours of your face, and let it get to work.

The way they work is different, too. “Using a sheet mask helps occlude their ingredients better compared to other masks,” says Deirdre Hooper, MD, board-certified dermatologist at Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans. Translation: You’re putting something over your skin that increases penetration—or physically locks in—hydrating ingredients, she explains.

With winter in full swing, sheet masks shine for their ability to moisturize and reinforce your skin’s protective barrier. “When you improve the skin barrier, your complexion looks better, no matter if you have acne, wrinkles, or dry skin. Hydrated skin looks more beautiful,” says Dr. Hooper.

Sheet masks can vary greatly, explains Rhonda Klein, MD, MPH, board-certified dermatologist at Modern Dermatology of Connecticut. The sheet can be made from non-woven fiber or cotton in the lower price range, and hydrogel or bio cellulose for a closer fit and better absorption when you spend a bit more. That material is then soaked in serum, which often contains a variety of active ingredients. By dissolving the ingredients into the sheet, they stay more potent and have a bigger impact on your skin, says Dr. Klein.

Lean toward those that offer moisturization, since sheet masks are designed to be used occasionally. In order to truly change your skin—say, build collagen or lighten discoloration—it takes regular application of active ingredients long-term, says Dr. Hooper. (You can use a sheet mask daily if you have the time and budget for it, but most of us do not.)

How to choose (and use) the best sheet mask for your skin

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Opt for hydrating masks: The label will specifically say they’re designed to hydrate or moisturize. A few top-notch ingredients to look out for: hyaluronic acid (a humectant, meaning it draws water into skin), ceramides (natural fats in the skin which trap moisture to further prevent water loss), and honey (another humectant with skin-calming properties), says Tina Alster, MD, director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery and a clinical professor at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, DC.

Go for budget buys: “Start with inexpensive sheet masks,” says Dr. Hooper. Since you don’t need expensive anti-aging ingredients, a simple moisturizing sheet mask at a drugstore price will do the trick.

Avoid detox masks: Skip the masks that advertise themselves as “detoxifying,” recommends Dr. Hooper. “You can detox skin with cleansing and exfoliating,” she says. (Check out these top-notch face exfoliators if your skin is feeling a bit rough.)

Prep with cleanser: Wash your face first! Whether you’re dry and sensitive or acne-prone, there is a cleanser out there for your skin needs. A sheet mask on unwashed skin will lock in dirt, which is not what you want. Then, apply a sheet mask at night before bed or before an event for an instant complexion pick-me-up.

Moisturize after: As soon as the mask comes off, you can just gently pat in whatever product is left on your face. Then, “seal it in by applying moisturizer on top, which will support the work the mask is doing,” says Dr. Alster.

Here, the best sheet masks to try when your skin needs a little extra TLC.

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Eau Thermale Avène Soothing Sheet Mask

“For the best value with great efficacy, I’d recommend the Avène soothing masks,” says Dr. Klein. These sheet masks, which are enriched with thermal spring water, are a great option for sensitive skin because the masks are hypoallergenic, fragrance- and paraben-free, and they don’t contain alcohol, which can lead to dryness and irritation.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Hydrogel Mask

Hyaluronic acid is the star ingredient in this gentle, noncomedogenic sheet mask. Plus, according to Neutrogena, the hydrogel material “holds the power of one bottle of serum” in each mask to leave your face feeling soft and supple. It actually comes in two pieces (one for the top portion of your face and another for the lower half), so you can adjust the fit to your liking.

Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb Sheet Mask

Hyaluronic acid, alongside pomegranate extract, does it again. Reviewers love this mask because the hydrating ingredients soak into skin quickly, and even those with sensitive complexions say it doesn’t irritate. The result? A smoother, softer, and more radiant complexion.

Dr. Jart+ Ceramidin Facial Mask

Ceramides and hyaluronic acid provide the dose of moisture in this sheet mask made from natural fibers. Panthenol (a form of vitamin B5) and soothing aloe vera leaf juice also help relieve any itchiness or discomfort caused by super-dry skin.

Simple Water Boost Hydrating Sheet Mask

This sheet mask is a great option for sensitive skin. Hyaluronic acid and glycerin (another humectant), as well as plant oils and extracts, team up to fight dryness and dullness. Made from natural fibers, this sheet mask is free of phthalates, parabens, and fragrances, so it’s gentle enough for irritation-prone complexions.

Farmacy Coconut Gel Sheet Mask

Not only does these sheet mask include coconut water and cucumber to buoy hydration levels, but it also packs hyaluronic acid to combat dryness, smooth texture, and give the skin a glow. The gel formula sinks in quickly, leaving your face feeling soft rather than sticky.

St. Ives Soothing Oatmeal Sheet Mask

Oatmeal is known to soothe and heal the skin (that’s why you can find it in so many products for eczema). This cotton sheet mask from St. Ives features the all-star ingredient to soothe dry, irritated skin. Aloe vera offers additional healing magic, while hyaluronic acid delivers much-needed moisture.

Karuna Hydrating+ Face Sheet Mask

Named one of our favorite hydrating face masks for dry skin, this sheet mask from Karuna offers hyaluronic acid, chamomile and aloe vera to soothe, and skin-renewing peptides. It feels pleasantly cool on the skin, soaks in quickly, and leaves your face refreshed, plumped, and hydrated.

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